Advice From the Field: Spotlighting Women in Construction Week

Women in Construction Week is an annual event dedicated to recognizing the contributions of women in the construction industry. The campaign was first held in 1998 by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to raise awareness about the achievements, challenges and opportunities for women in construction. It serves as a platform to highlight their accomplishments, promote diversity within the industry and inspire more individuals to pursue careers in building safety.

In honor of this week, the International Code Council connected with professionals in the field, inviting them to share their insight and advice for those seeking to enter and advance within the industry.

What Advice Do You Have for Women in The Construction Industry?

“Establish boundaries and never forget that your presence serves to open doors for generations to come. Don’t be afraid of voicing your opinions and have faith in your skills. Utilize challenges as steppingstones to show off your skills. As you climb and grow in the industry reach back and help others grow as well,” said Dr. LaToya R. Carraway, Technical Staff for the Code Council.

“Seek out mentors and ask questions,” said Diana Anderson, Architect from Cincinnati, Ohio.

“Having four granddaughters, I have made it a point to remind them that we can do the same jobs as others if we set goals and stay focused. Determining what avenue you want to take, making a plan and adhering to it is more than rewarding.  My father once said, ‘you can be anyone you want and you can do anything you choose, just be good at it.’ I will always be thankful that he believed in me,” said Kimberly Craig, Chief Building Official for the City of Atlanta, Georgia.

“Know your worth. You bring unique skills and perspectives that strengthen the field, own your expertise. Create your own opportunities and advocate for yourself, don’t wait for recognition, showcase your skills and ask for leadership roles. Attend conferences, present at meetings and be active in professional organizations, make sure you stay visible,” said Vanessa Rodriguez, Supervising Technical Assistant to the Construction Official for Jersey City, New Jersey.

“There is room in this industry for women to coexist and offer valued information,” said LaToya Forbes, Development Services Manager for the City of Hampton, Virginia.

“Tell yourself you belong in the room, space and building industry.  Life is a learning process, and no single person has all the knowledge or all the answers, we all have contributions to share,” said Debb Long, Sr. Director QA, Education from California.

“Keep working harder and smarter, no matter what,” said Nasrin Sesar, PM, Architectural Design/Urban Planning Consultant for Utopia.

“Support and uplift other women, reach out and help mentor others so that their path doesn’t have to be as difficult as yours and help to create pathways instead of roadblocks to those who may have an interest in the industry,” said Bernadette Gillespie, Building Official for Bloomington, Minnesota.

Have You Noticed Any Emerging Trends for Women in The Construction Industry?

“I have noticed that there are more women in leadership positions, there are also more training and mentorship programs available that are especially tailored to women working in construction. It also seems that more organizations are promoting balance between work and personal life, as they realize how important it is,” said Carraway.

“There are more women general contractors than in the past,” said Anderson.

“When I first got into this industry, there were only two women in the metro and north part of Georgia in the inspection industry. Today we have a countless number of women in the industry, not only as inspectors, but as plan reviewers and superintendents as well. Georgia Tech has started offering construction management classes and more women are paying attention and signing up.  Their dedication to prove themselves has made the industry more achievable for women,” said Craig.

“More women are moving into leadership roles, including Plans Examiner, Building Official and Inspector positions, as organizations recognize the value of diverse leadership. There is also an increasing number of women getting involved with organizations like Women in Code Enforcement and Development that are providing mentorship and networking opportunities,” said Rodriguez.

“I believe over the years women have found ways to balance being in this industry with our everyday lives. We nurture through this space in a way that creates trust and understanding,” said Forbes.

“As a traveling consultant across the country, I am excited to see the presence of women in such a wide array of industries.  As a mentor for young women, I am also thrilled with the quantity of them enrolled in Construction Management and Trade School programs,” said Long.

“I see more women in general working for local code offices, leading forums and continuing education classes within the industry. I believe that with more women in the industry and with more representation, the more we will attract others to join building safety professions,” said Gillespie.

Do You Have Any Experiences That You’d Like to Share?

“In my 26 years of being in the construction industry I have continuously reinvented myself through constant learning. I began my journey in 1999 as an apprentice plumber with Local 130 in Chicago, Illinois, and later became the first woman of color to become a plumbing inspector in the State of Illinois. My construction experience has afforded me the opportunity to work in municipal government and to elevate into leadership positions. I used my UA credits earned during my five-year plumbing apprenticeship to go to college, and I earned an Associate of Science degree in Construction Supervision, a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management, a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and a Doctoral degree in Health Administration. The sky is the limit in the construction industry,” shared Carraway.

“Doing inspections for over 30 years and obtaining my CBO was not easy, but today I am the Chief CBO for one of the fastest growing cities in the southeast. It has taken a while, but I give thanks to all the people who I have encountered during my career who have helped me along the way. Experience is something that I am still gaining every day. When you stop learning, it’s time to retire. The best experience I can say that I have gained is to speak up and be heard. This industry is one of the best to be in. Make it your own,” shared Craig.

“Starting in high school, I had a great professor who specifically told me “I am going to teach you the world of architecture and building construction.” I was the only girl in all his classes, and he maintained the same expectations for me as all his other students. I carried the work ethic and the love for this industry through college, internships, private practice and the public industry,” shared Forbes.

“When I met my first BITA mentee and we talked about her life and hobbies, I’d asked her (as a junior in high school at that time) if she had any thoughts about college or post high school graduation plans. She shared how much she enjoyed working with her hands and doing small construction projects around her home, etc. The next comment she made, literally floored me… she said she was going to pursue a CM degree and eventually wanted to go into land acquisition and become a developer! Women are choosing to be wherever they desire in the built world,” shared Long.

“I had amazing experience in international projects while designing and building industrial cities or master planning using latest available technologies, GIS and software. We should embrace AI in our time which can bring amazing success to construction industries,” shared Sesar.

“I am in the position I am in because I was given a chance and had someone believe in me and my potential. I just want to encourage others to become mentors and believe in the potential of others because code officials come in all varieties and there is no one size fits all as long as they have a passion to learn and given the opportunity,” shared Gillespie.

For resources and support on how to enter and grow within the building safety industry, visit the International Code Council’s Safety 2.0 website here.    

Advance your career and create opportunities to learn and engage with peers and building safety experts by becoming a Code Council member here.